Valve



Nov. 24, 1942. v. wEBER ErAL VALVE Filed Aug. 5, 1940 mn.. w z Www w Mama m k:

Patented Nov. 24, 1942 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE VALVE Victor Weber, Greensburg, and Charles A. Pahel, Youngwood, Pa., assignors to Robertshaw Thermostat Company, Youngwood, Pa., a corporation of Pennsylvania Application August 3, 1940, Serial No. 350,954

8 Claims.

This invention relates to valves for gas ranges and the like, and more particularly to a combined thermostatic valve and gas cock.

One object of the invention is to arrange the parts compactly while insuring ready access for adjustment.

Another object of the invention is to elimi'nate connecting parts by utilizing a common axis and operating means for both the thermostatic valve and the gas cock.

Another object of the invention is to prevent accidental shocks and blows on exposed portions of the device' from causing leakage at the gas cock.

Another object of the invention is to prevent accidental opening of the gas cock'while insuring quick release of the looking mechanism when operation is desired.

Another object of the invention is to retain the Operating parts in relative assembled position to permit removal and replacement without affecting their operativerelationship.

Other objects and advantages will become apparent from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawing wherein:

Fig. 1' is a side elevation, partly in section, of a thermostat embodying the invention,

Pig. 2 is a section taken on the line 2-2 of Fig. l 'looking in the direction indicated by the arrows, and

Fig. 3 is a section taken on the line 3-3 of Fig. 1`looking in the direction indicated by the arrows. i

Fig. 4 is an isometric view of a detail.

Referring more particularly to the drawing, the valve includes a main casing provided with an inlet |2 for gas or other fiuid and having an end casing l4 secured thereto and provided with an outlet |6. The end casing |4 carries the thermostatic mechanism including the bulb |6 and capillary tube 20. As the details of the thermally responsive mechanism form no part of the present invention, further description is deemed superfiuous, but reference may be had to the Newell application Serial No. 350,926 or Newell Patent No. 2,201,375 for a disclosure of a suitable structure.

The casing |0 is provided with a tapered valve seat.22 within which a hollow valve member 24 having a tapered seating surface is adapted to rotate. Communication between the inlet |2 and the interior of the hollow valve member is afforded by oppositely disposed ports 26 formed in Clt groove 28 in the tapered surface thereof. In order to facilitate the passage of gas from the inlet |2 to the interior in certain positions of the valve member 24, a small aperture 30 is provided in the groove 26 midway between the ports 26.

A valve stem 32 extends from the valve member through an opening 34 in a cover 36, the wall of the opening being spaced from the valve stem. The cover is secured to the main casing |0 at the end opposite the end casing |4 and is adapted to project through the front panel of a gas range, indicated at 38, behind which the thermostat is located with the bulb subjected to the temperatures in the oven. Oppsitely disposed lugs 39 on the cover receive screws 40 which engage the main casing |0 and serve to secure the cover in position. Provision for arouate adjustment of the cover 36 with respect to the main casing l0 is made by using slotted openings 42 in the lugs 39 which receive the screws. Axial alignment of the cover and casing is assured by an annular lip 44 in the cover closely engaging a circular recess 46 on the castheyalve member and connected by an arcuate The rotating means for the valve member 24 includes a dial 48 carrying a tubular projection 50 which slides within the opening 34 and terminates adjacent the recess 46 of the casing |0. A sleeve 52 is interposed between the projection 50 and the valve stem 32 and has sliding engagement with the former while being spaced from the latter. An uptumed flange 54 on the inner end of the sleeve 52 extends into a slot 56 formed in the end of the projection 50 and provides means by which rotation of the dial may be imparted to the sleeve.

The flange 54 extends radially beyond the sleeve into engagement with an annular recess 58 in the cover 36. The recess 56 is provided with a cam surface 60 and a limit stop 62 in the form of projections thereon and spaced one from the other to accommodate the flange 54 therebetween. The crest 64 of the cam surface 60 is adjacent the space for the flange, whereby the latter may ride up and drop into the space when the dial 48 is rotated in a clockwise direction as viewed in Fig. 2. Preferably, the limit stop 62 is of such height as to extend into sufllciently close proximity to the recess 46 in the casing |0 to prevent the flange from passing therebetween and continuing the clockwise rotation. When the flange 54 is within the space, its outer face lies flush with the crest of the cam surface 60.

The end of the sleeve 52 opposite the flange is provided with oppositely disposed tongues 88 which project therefrom into complemental slots 88 formed in the outer surface of a collar secured to the end of the valve stem 32. That portion of the valve stem 32 which lies within the sleeve 52 is preferably reduced in diameter forming a shoulder 12 against which one end of a coil spring 14 abuts. shoulder 12 projects sleeve 52 so that the major portion of the stem within the sleeve comprises the reduced portion which is spaced a substantial distance therefrom. The other end of the spring abuts a plurality of introverted fianges 16 formed on the end of the sleeve 82 between -the tongues 88 and serves to maintain the parts in extended relation. It will be apparent. that any desired munber of flanges 18 may be used, as is likewise the case with the tongues 88.

The valve stem 32 is provided with an axial bore 18 communicating with the hollow valve member and having an operating shaft 80 slidable therein. The inner wall '8| of the hollow valve member is spaced from the shaft 80 providing a passage for gas therebetween. The operating shaft is provided with a collar 82 which engages the end face of the valve stem and has a slotted projection 84 therein. Calibrating means for the thermostat are provided by a plate 86, carrying suitable indicia 88, and held in close engagement with the collar 82 by the screws 90 which threadedly engage both the valve stem 32 and the collar 10 thereon. A pointer 92 is carried by the projection 84 and may be secured against rotation thereon by depressing the portions 94 thereof into the slot provided in the projection.

The end of the operating shaft 80 within the hollow valve member is bored as at '98 for the reception of one end of an extension member 9'8 having a detent |00 engaging with a slot i02 in the wall of the bore 98. The extension 98 is provided with an enlargement |04 having a ball face on one side thereof and an abutment surface for a coil spring |08 on the other. The spring 108 extends into engagement with the wall of the casing |0 adjacent the end of the hollow valve member and serves to maintain the ball face of enlargernent |04 in sealing engagement with a complemental seat |01 formed on a regulating valve member |08 which is carried on the extension. The regulating valve |08 is adapted to engage an annular valve seat ||0 formed on the casing |0 between the inlet |2 and outlet IB and, in this instance, comprising a separate element removable for replacement or repair.

Rotative movement of the extension 98 may be converted .into reciprocatory movement by the provision of a projection ||2 on the enlargement |04 having a threaded end engaging with a nut ||4 anchored against rotary movement by a pin ||8 extending therefrom into engagement with a slotted plate ||'8 secured to the end casing |4. A spring |20 may extend between the pin ||8 and the valve member |08, there being a cap member |22 interposed between the valve and the end of the spring and forming an abutment therefor.

In the operation of the device, the dial 48 is first pushed inwardly toward the stove panel 38 causing compression of the spring 14 when the end of the slot 56 acts against the fiange 54 and moves it out of the space between the cam surface 50 and the limit stop 82. Rotation of the It will be observed that the! only slightly within the dial can now occur in a counterclockwise direction as viewed in Fig. 2. The flange 54 now begins riding over the cam surfaces and is urged into engagement therewith by the spring 14, manual inward pressure on the dial having ceased as soon as the parts were unlocked.

When the dial is set for the temperature at which the thermostat is to operate, rotation may be discontinued. Such rotation of the dial will have caused concurrent rotation of the operating shaft 80 due to the driving connections previously described in detail. Hence, the extension 98 which is driven from the Operating shaft 80 will have vmoved lengthwise thereof toward the right as viewed in Fig. 1 and caused the regulating valve |08 to move off its seat ||0. Such conversion of rotative movement of the shaft 80 into lengthwise movement of the extension may be accomplished by the mechanism shown in detail herein and in the previously mentioned patent and application of Newell, but other Satisfactory methods will be well understood by those skilled in the art.

'It will be apparent that, during the rotary movements described, the valve member 24 is also rotated in its seat. When the valve member is in the full closed position shown in Fig. 1

` with the ports 28 normal to the inlet opening |2, the fiange 54 is in its locked position. Hence, rotary movement of the dial to open the valve cannot occur accidentally as a forcible inward movement is first required to free the flange 54. When the valve member is rotated to align one of the ports 28 with the inlet |2 the gas will flow into the passage between the Operating shaft'and the inner wall 8| to the regulating valve |08. As this regulating valve is opened simultaneously with opening of the hollow valve member, the gas can flow through the outlet IS to the oven for use therein. It will be observed that the arcuate groove 28 between the ports in the valve member provides a passage for gas between the valve member and its seat. The additional aperture 30 provided between the ports shortens the distance the gas has to travel around the valve surface, while not detracting from the strength of the valve member as would be the case if the material between the ports on one side were completely removed.

When the temperature in the oven as sensed by the bulb |8 reaches that for which the dial has been set, the thermostatic mechanism operates to close the regulating valve 1108 in the usual manner. Calibration of the device is readily performed by manually pulling on the dial and withdrawing its projection 50 from the cover 38. The screws holding the plate 88 in place are then exposed and may be loosened to permit a screwdriver or other tool to be inserted in the slotted projection 84.

The Operating shaft can then be rotated relatively to the hollow valve member by holding the collar 10 thus changing the relationship between the regulating valve and the fiange 54 which governs the position of the dial. The pointer 92 cooperates with its indicia 88 to indicate the number of degrees of alteration which have been made in the temperature at which the calibrated device will operate.

, lShould the dial or associated parts projecting through the front panel 38 suffer an accidental shock or blow, these will be transferred. by the construction disclosed, away from the hollow valve member which is thereby protected against such causes of leakage at the seating surfaces.- For example, if the dial is struck or pressed forcibly in any direction, the projection 50 will move against the cover 38 on one side and the sleeve -52 on the other side. These parts are closely related, but the sleeve is radially spaced from the valve stem at all points as indicated in the drawing. The shock is thus absorbed chiefiy by the cover which is securely attached to the casing and able to withstand such treatment.

The compact nature of the structure will be apparent from the foregoing description. The dial forms a single operating means for both the hollow valve member controlling the gas inlet and for the regulating valvewhich controlsthepassage between the inlet'and the outlet. The thermostatic mechanism together with the manually operated parts of the device are all arranged on a common axis reducing -the number of parts required. Dismantling of the device for cleaning or repair is also facilitated as will be apparent.

Although a preferred embodiment has been shown and described herein, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the details of construction and arrangement of parts disclosed except within the scope of the appended claims.

We claim:

l. In a thermostatic control, an inlet and an outlet opening, a tapered valve seat in said casing adjacent the inlet opening, a hollow valve member in said casing coacting with said seat and having a port adapted to register with the inlet opening, a stem extending from said valve member, a dial mounted on the casing and rotatable relative thereto, means connecting the dial and valve stem for rotating the valve member to move said port into and out of registry with said inlet opening, a regulating valve controlling the flow from said port to the outlet a casing having i opening and being substantially coaxial with said valve member, an Operating member carried by said valve stem and extending axially through said valve member for actuating said regulating valve, said OperatingV member being spaced from said valve member to provide a flow passage therebetween, and means for clamping said valve stem and Operating member together for preventing relative rotation but being adjustabl to permit such rotation to vary the relation between the regulating valve and dial.

2. In a thermostatic control, a casing having an inlet and an outlet opening. a tapered valve seat in said casing adjacent the inlet opening, a hollow valve member in said casing coacting with said seat and having a port adapted to register with the inlet opening, a stem extending from said valve member. a cover extending around but spaced from said stem and secured to the casing, a rotatable dial having a portion projecting within said cover and provided with a driving connection, means within the cover en888ing with said driving connection and radially spaced from said stem for rotating said valve member in its seat to move said port into and out of registry with said inlet opening, the spaced arrangement being such that impacts on the dial are transmitted to the cover without ail'ecting adjustment of the valve member, a regulating valve controlling the flow from said port to the outlet opening and being substantially coaxial with said valve member, an Operating member carried by said valve stem and extending axially through said valve member for actuating the regulating valve, said operating member being spaced from said valve -and means for clamping said valve stem and operating member together for preventing relative rotation but being ble to permit such rotation to vary the relation between the regulating valve and dial.

3. In a thermostatic control, an inlet and said valve member, a cover for said stem secured to the casing, a rotatable and longitudinally movable dial having a portion projecting within said cover and provided with a recess, a sleeve interstem and projecting portion rotated. i

4..In a thermostatie control. a casing having an inlet and an outlet opening, a hollow valve member in said casing having a port adapted to register with the inlet opening, a stem extending from said valve member, means cooperating with said stem for rotating said valve member, a

controlling the flow from independently of brating the control, said adjustable means including a member movable into clamping relation with the end faces to restrain the valve stem and operating member from relative rotation, and

` means carried 'by the valve stem for securlng said member in clamping relation.

5. In a thermostatic control, a casing having an inlet and an outlet opening, a hollow valve 'engagement with member in said casing having a port adapted to register with the inlet opening, a hollow stem extending from said valve member, a cover for the stem secured to the casing, a dial having a portion extending within said cover and having driving connection with said stem for rotating said valve member. a regulating valve controlling the flow from said port to the outlet opening, an Operating member supported in the hollow stem and extendinggthrough said valve member into said regulating valve for actuating it in response to operation of said dial, abutlment means on said operating member adapted to engage said valve stem for preventing relative longltudinal movement, a locking element normally secured to the valve stem in clamping engagement with said abutment for preventing relative rotation of said operating and valve 4 members, said element permitting manual rotation of the Operating member relative to said valve member up'on removal of the dlal and unclamping thereof, whereby the regulatlng valve may be moved independently of said rotating means for calibrating the control.

6.' A valve comprising a casing having a tapered seat and a fluid passageway therein, a tapered valve member rotatable in the seat and having a stem extending from the larger end thereof, a cover secured to the casing and extending around the stem, a sleeve interposed between the cover and stem and slidable relative thereto, means carried by the sleeve and abutting the cover for iimiting slidable movement away from said larger end. and yleldable means extending between the larger end and the slidable means for urging the valve member to its seat.

7. A valve comprising a casing'having a tapered seat and a fluid passageway therein, a tapered valve member rotatable in the seat and having a stem extending from the larger end thereof, a cover secured to the casing and extending around the stem, a rotatable and longitudinally movable dial having a portion projecting within the cover and provided with a driving connection, a sleeve interposed between the projection and stem, means carried by the sleeve and engaging the driving connection for imparting the rotation and longitudinal movement of the dial to the sleeve, 30

said means abutting the cover for limiting longitudinal movement away from the larger end. a stop on the cover engageable by said means for looking the valve member against rotation, means proiecting from the sleeve toward the stem and spaced from the abutment, and a coil spring on the stem operable between the larger end and proiecting means for urging the valve member to its seat but permitting said longitudinal movement of the sleeve to release the looking means.

8. A thermostatic control comprislng a casing having a seat and a fluid passageway therein, a hollow valve member rotatable in the seat and provided with a stem, a cover secured to the casing and extending around the stem but being spaced therefrom, a regulating valve in the casing having actuating means extending through the hollow valve member into operative engagement with the stem. an Operating member for the valve members carried by the cover and cooperating therewith to enclose the stem and actuating means but being spacedltherefrom, and means for connecting the Operating member to the stem for imparting rotatlon thereto while retaining the spaced arrangement, whereby impacts on the Operating member are without affecting adjustment of the valve members.

VICTOR. WEBER. CHARLES A. PAHEL.

transmitted to the coverl 

